[ad_1]
The press conference is over
With this, Chancellor Cassis closes the press conference on explosive personnel in the EU dossier. And we also say goodbye, we wish you a good day!
At srf.ch/news and our app, we provide you with further feedback and analysis on the latest developments in the framework agreement between Switzerland and the EU.
Can the framework agreement fail?
Cassis says: “A negotiation always implies the possibility of failure, otherwise it is not a negotiation. If you say failure is not an option, you put yourself in an impossible bargaining position. “
Why is Ms. Leu the best for the job?
Why is a new chief negotiator needed after Roberto Balzaretti was announced a few years ago as the best candidate for the position? “He did what was asked of him,” says Cassis in recognition of Balzaretti’s work. However, the fact that negotiations with Brussels have taken place since 2013 indicates that there are significant reservations about the framework agreement between politicians and the population.
Now a new “lever” is needed, said the Chancellor: “In a new phase, we want to signal a new psychological vigor,” said Cassis. A creative and experienced diplomat like Livia Leu is the right person for this. “His record, for example as ambassador to Iran, is excellent.” There she was involved in sensitive tasks such as the exchange of prisoners between the United States and Iran. “She has seen a lot in her diplomatic career and can achieve a lot.”
How did the election influence?
When asked, Cassis said the only thing that influenced the elections was the question of who was best suited to the existing European strategy. Their decisions would not be influenced by the media.
Leu still does not want to comment on the ECJ
Another journalist asks Ms Leu how she evaluates the role of the Court of Justice of the European Communities (ECJ) in the conflicts between Berne and Brussels. The issue is highly controversial at the national level. “You will understand that today I am not going to comment in detail on this issue, about which there is much controversy.” Basically, however, he is optimistic about the negotiations and sees room for maneuver to be able to successfully represent the Swiss position.
What is the negotiating position of the Federal Council?
A journalist asks if the Federal Council’s negotiating position will be expanded or if only the three known open areas will continue to be negotiated. Cassis: “The Federal Council will determine its position in the coming weeks. The three areas defined in June 2019 will be included, but I cannot say if other areas will also be negotiated. ”The entire Federal Council has not yet determined the position.
An important signal for Brussels
A journalist asks whether the European record will not be weakened if the previously responsible management is dissolved. Cassis also denies that: Making Europe and the framework agreement a top priority. “We are closing ranks and we want to address not only Brussels, but also Paris, Berlin and London in the same language.”
That is why the issues are grouped in the Secretary of State of the FDFA. “Now we are sending an important signal to Brussels: the person who represents me is also the boss in all these files.”
No affront to Balzaretti
Chancellor Cassis does not want to hear about an affront to Balzaretti. In response to a journalist’s question, he said: In its current form, the framework agreement is not satisfactory. “We decided to reorganize the entire external department, not just on the European record,” Cassis said.
The Federal Council had also considered whether it needed new people as well as new structures. “I am convinced that in the final phase of the negotiations with the EU we need someone with the great experience of Ms Leu.” This also in order to give new impetus to the negotiations.
“A framework agreement with the EU is important for Switzerland”
“I would like to thank the Federal Council for the confidence they have shown,” says Livia Leu. She is very familiar with the EU file. “A framework agreement with the EU is very important for Switzerland.” The EU is Switzerland’s most important trading partner. But today he cannot go into detail about how he intends to push forward the framework agreement.
Thanks to Balzaretti’s resignation
At the same time, Cassis thanks Roberto Balzaretti for his “competent work in relation to the negotiations with the EU”. He is responsible for the basis of the institutional framework agreement with the EU. Balzaretti will act as the Swiss ambassador to Paris in the future.
Cassis congratulates Leu
The EU remains the main focus of Swiss foreign policy and bilateral relations are of great importance to the country, said Cassis. It is important to set up the organization in such a way that these relationships can be cultivated as best as possible.
The right person has been found in Livia Leu: “I congratulate Ms. Leu on her nomination and wish her all the best in her new role,” the Federal Council said.
Structural adjustments in the EDA
“Strategy, structure, heads”: Cassis draws attention to the foreign policy strategy of the Federal Council. “To achieve our goals, we have to create the right structures,” said the chancellor. To do this, there must also be adjustments in the EDA. The aim of the merger and reorganization of the Department of Foreign Affairs is to make Swiss foreign policy more coherent.
Spokesperson Simonazzi confirms: Parmelin quarantined
Federal Council spokesman André Simonazzi confirmed in advance that Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin was in quarantine due to a corona case in his area. It tested negative yesterday and is fine. You can do business from home.
Experienced diplomat
According to the Federal Council, Livia Leu has “deep experience in the thematic priorities of the 2020-2023 foreign policy strategy, namely peace, security, prosperity, sustainability and digitization.”
After completing his law studies in Zurich and Lausanne, Leu joined the FDFA in 1989. After various duties at headquarters in Berne and abroad, including as head of mission in Iran, Leu has served as ambassador to France and Monaco for two years.
Livia Leu becomes the new chief negotiator with the EU
As announced by the Federal Council, the new appointment to the post is a fact: the former Swiss ambassador in Paris, Livia Leu, will be the new head of negotiation for the negotiations with the European Union. At the same time, she will become Secretary of State for the FDFA. According to Federal Councilor Leus, Roberto Balzaretti will assume the previous position and will become the new ambassador in Paris.
Livia Leu was previously an ambassador to Paris.
SRF
Explosive personnel
The possible dismissal of one of the most talented and ambitious Swiss diplomats has sparked heated discussions in federal Bern in recent days. Proponents expect new momentum in the framework agreement with the EU, currently blocked. Other foreign politicians are also critical of the new appointment after years of negotiations with Brussels.
New person in charge on the EU file
Good day!
We welcome the live ticker on the new appointments on “structural adjustments in the FDFA” – behind the unspectacular formulation of the Federal Chancellery hides an explosive person: the previous chief negotiator on the EU file, the Secretary Roberto Balzaretti, will be replaced. At 2:00 pm, Chancellor Ignazio Cassis reported on the new appointment.
